If 2025 was the year of overcrowded hot spots, 2026 is shaping up to be about discovery—destinations delivering standout experiences without the crush. From a quiet corner of the Dalmatian Coast to a fjord-side Nordic food capital, here are eight places flying just below the radar that travelers will want to get ahead of now.
Sri Lanka’s East Coast
Sri Lanka’s east coast remains overlooked in favor of the south. At Sun Siyam Pasikudah, travelers find beachfront serenity, Ayurvedic-inspired wellness, and uncrowded, coral-rich waters—revealing an entirely different side of the island. It’s poised to become one of Asia’s most compelling luxury beach stories of 2026.
Stavanger, Norway
Overshadowed by Oslo and Bergen, Stavanger is Norway’s coastal food and culture capital—and the gateway to Lysefjord and Preikestolen. Through bespoke itineraries by Up Norway, travelers experience private fjord cruises, farm-to-table dining, artisan workshops, and off-season adventures that feel worlds away from mass tourism.
Cavtat, Croatia
Just 20 minutes south of Dubrovnik, Cavtat delivers the same Adriatic romance without the cruise-ship crowds. Hotel Supetar Cavtat, a boutique stay in a restored historic residence, is quietly redefining slow luxury with harbor-view terraces, local wine rituals, and an authentic sense of place in one of Croatia’s prettiest seaside towns.
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza’s wine scene may be well known, but staying at a female-founded, design-forward estate like SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is not. With spa suites, immersive wine-and-wellness rituals, and bespoke experiences tied to the elements, this is Argentina’s next great boutique hotel story.
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Riviera Nayarit remains a refined alternative to Mexico’s more crowded coastlines, particularly around Nuevo Vallarta. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit continues to set the bar for all-inclusive luxury, pairing destination-worthy dining with culturally immersive programming like Mexology Fest and a wellness-forward approach that rivals Mexico’s buzziest spa resorts.
South Caicos
Turks & Caicos has a quieter sibling. Blissfully undeveloped, South Caicos feels like the Caribbean before commercialization. Sailrock South Caicos anchors the island with barefoot elegance—offering bonefishing, sailing, and sweeping views over untouched beaches.
Brittany, France
Paris and Provence dominate headlines, but Brittany is France’s great undiscovered region for 2026. Set within a medieval estate near the Atlantic coast, Domaine de la Bretesche blends château romance, Michelin-recognized dining, and access to wild coastal landscapes that remain refreshingly untouched.
Machu Picchu, Peru
A classic destination made newly appealing thanks to daily visitor limits enacted in 2024. At the base of the ruins, Sumaq Machu Picchu elevates the journey with indigenous-led cultural programming, Andean culinary rituals, and intimate access to sacred traditions most travelers never experience.
